The American Occupational Remedy Affiliation (AOTA) issued a place paper recommending that the Occupational Remedy (OT) career ought to transition to a doctoral diploma as the popular skilled diploma. The affiliation recommend 2025 because the implementation date for this variation. This isn’t presently required, nevertheless it’s indicative of the modifications coming to the OT subject. Presently working OTs might need to think about advancing their schooling to place themselves for broader profession alternatives as superior apply therapists, researcher, or as educators of OT college students.

There are a number of on-line alternatives for presently working OT professionals who need to broaden their profession choices. These packages present on-line coursework that may sometimes accomplished in two yr or much less. Packages could also be provided utterly on-line or require a minimal of on-campus attendance and should embrace sensible experiences (relying on the specialty monitor chosen). Packages can be found for Grasp’s of Science in Occupational Remedy (MOT) or by way of bridge packages for Bachlor’s ready college students. Greatest Medical Levels has reviewed these packages for institutional accreditation (NOTE: Submit Skilled OTD packages usually are not accredited by Accreditation Council for Occupational Remedy Schooling (ACOTE) and Greatest Medical Levels has verified institutional accreditation.

Between 2016-2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates the job alternatives for Occupational Therapists at 27% which is should quicker than common. The typical wage for a masters ready OT, as reported by the BLS in 2017, was $83,200 yearly. PayScale estimates the averages wage for these holding a doctorate diploma at $90,602 yearly. Employment for OTDs could also be present in hospitals, outpatient care amenities, rehabilitation facilities, public faculties, and so forth.

Methodology

Greatest Medical Levels researched out there post-professional Occupational Remedy Doctorate packages and reviewed packages based mostly on: 1) institutional and program accreditation, 2) size of program and tuition value (however not faculty charges), Three) U.S. Information and World Report rankings the place obtainable and four) packages that are provided soley on-line or with a minimal of on-campus attendance necessities (hybrid). Faculty web sites are the first supply for this info in addition to packages recognized by the American Occupational Remedy Affiliation (AOTA) and knowledge could also be modified by the varsity at any time.

1. Texas Lady’s College

Texas Lady’s College (TWU) provides a post-professional hybrid Occupational Remedy Doctorate (OTD). Coursework is obtainable primarily on-line however college students are required to attend on-campus two or 3 times a semester, rotating between the Dallas and Houston campuses. Coursework facilities on skilled management in educator, superior practitioner and advocate. Candidates should have a present Occupational Remedy license, maintain a grasp’s diploma in OT, submit GRE scores (check scores inside 10 years of software are acceptable), and common TWU admission necessities. The OT packages at TWU rank within the prime 25 of U.S. Information and World Report’s Greatest Occupational Remedy Faculties.

2. Kansas College Medical Middle

Kansas College Medical Middle (KUMC) supplies a web-based post-professional Occupational Remedy Doctorate (OTD) that could be accomplished in two years relying on enrollment standing. Candidates should maintain a Grasp’s of Occupational Remedy (MOT) or bachelor’s diploma in Occupational Remedy and a Grasp’s diploma in any subject from an accredited establishment, have an Occupational Remedy license and NBCOT certification, and so forth. This system doesn’t require the GRE. There are not any out of state tuition prices for this program. U.S. Information and World Report ranks the KUMC Occupational Remedy program within the prime 10 in its Greatest Occupational Remedy Packages.

Three. College of South Dakota

Rated in U.S. Information and World Report’s prime 100 of Greatest Occupational Remedy Faculties, the College of South Dakota (USD) provides a web-based OTD diploma for licensed Occupational Therapists particularly for at present working towards Occupational Therapists. Candidates should maintain a Masters diploma in Occupational Remedy, present OT license, full a background examine, letters of advice, and extra college software necessities. There are not any on-campus attendance necessities for this OTD.

Program Size: 24 Credit score HoursEstimated Tuition Value Per Credit score Hour: $451Curriculum Snapshot: Evaluating Theories and Fashions of Follow in Occupational Remedy, Management in Healthcare, Making use of Proof Based mostly Follow in Occupational Remedy, Promotion of Well being and Prevention of Incapacity, The Healthcare Skilled As Educational and Medical Educator, Capstone Expertise and Challenge, and so on.Institutional Accreditation: Greater Studying FeeProgram Web site: College of South Dakota

four. College of Alabama-Birmingham

The College of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) offers three tracks in its on-line submit skilled OTD diploma in Low Imaginative and prescient Rehabilitation, Healthcare and Security or Basic. U.S. Information and World Report charges UAB’s program in its prime 25 of Greatest Occupational Remedy Faculties. Admissions requires candidates have a grasp’s or bachelor’s diploma in Occupational Remedy, be at present employed as an Occupational Therapist, have at the very least one yr’s OT expertise, and different college necessities. This program could also be accomplished in two-years with part-time attendance of two programs per semester (four-years taking one course per time period).

5. A.T. Nonetheless College

A. T. Nonetheless College is ranked in U.S. Information and World Report’s Greatest Occupational Remedy Faculties and presents a web-based post-professional OTD diploma. Admission necessities for candidates embrace a grasp’s diploma from an accredited college or school, NBCOT preliminary certification, OT licensure, letters of reference, and completion of any prerequisite coursework. This OTD program is designed for the working Occupational Therapist and could also be accomplished in two-years attending part-time.

6. Indiana College Purdue College Indiana

Rated within the prime 25 of U.S. Information and World Report’s Greatest Occupational Remedy Faculties, the Indiana College Purdue College Indiana (IUPUI) has a web-based post-professional OTD diploma that may be accomplished in three semesters. Provided by way of IUPUI’s Faculty of Well being and Rehabilitation Sciences, sddmission to this system requires a accomplished grasp’s diploma (in any self-discipline), present (or eligibility for) state licensure in Occupational Remedy, membership in state OT affiliation and AOTA, and so forth. Switch credit as much as 9 hours are accepted contingent on approval by the admissions committee, and so on. The OTD program requires fulltime enrollment.

7. Chatham College

The post-professional Occupational Remedy Doctorate at Chatham College was developed for the working Occupational Therapist and is primarily provided on-line with a minimal of two brief residencies on the college in Pittsburgh. Chatham College additionally supplies a BS to OTD bridge avenue for college kids with a Bachelor’s diploma in Occupational Remedy. This program could be accomplished in 16 months. Candidates should present proof of present OT licensure and official transcripts from beforehand attended faculties, together with different college particular necessities. U.S. Information and World report acknowledges Chatham College as one of many Greatest Occupational Remedy Faculties in its rankings.

eight. Towson College

Towson College (TU), situated in Towson, MD, has a hybrid post-professional OTD diploma with nearly all of coursework offered on-line. Candidates for this diploma should maintain a Grasp’s diploma in Occupational Remedy from an accredited establishment, verification of NBCOT certification, present and legitimate OT license, and completion of different college necessities. The Occupational Remedy program at Towson ranks within the prime 25 of U.S. Information and World Report’s Greatest Occupational Remedy Faculties.

Program Size: 33 Credit score HoursEstimated Tuition Value Per Credit score Hour: $559 (MD Resident); $1,006 (Non-Resident)Curriculum Snapshot: Superior Occupational Remedy Evaluation, Superior Occupational Remedy Interventions, Origins and Evolution of Occupational Science, Well being Care Coverage, Rising Points within the Well being of the Nation, Administration of Well being Care Organizations, Medical Program Planning, Implementation and Analysis, Capstone Undertaking, and so forth.Institutional Accreditation: Center States Affiliation of Faculties and SchoolsProgram Web site: Towson College

9. Creighton College

Creighton College supplies an internet post-professional Physician of Occupational Remedy (DOT) diploma. The graduate Occupational Remedy program is ranked within the prime 25 of U.S. Information and World Report’s Graduate Faculties Rating. Admission to this system is simple, requiring the NBCOT certification, present licensure, official faculty transcripts from an accredited Occupational Remedy program, three letters of advice, and different college admission necessities types. Grasp diploma ready college students (in any subject) mechanically have six credit score hours of electives waived.

10. College of St. Augustine For Well being Sciences

College of St. Augustine For Well being Sciences provides a web-based post-professional OTD program for each masters or bachelors ready college students and has two specializations in government management and educating/studying. Admissions requires official transcripts from beforehand attended establishments, maintain a grasp’s or bachelor’s diploma in Occupational Remedy, two letters of advice, presently licensed Occupational Therapist with a minimal of one-year OT expertise. As a consequence of state laws, college students from all U.S. states is probably not eligible to be admitted. Candidates ought to confirm eligibility previous to software.

11. Nova Southeastern College Florida

U.S. Information and World Report locations the occupational remedy packages at Nova Southeastern College-Florida (NSU) in its prime 100 Greatest Occupational Remedy Faculties rankings. Aside from the essential admission necessities, candidates to this post-professional DOT program are required to submit the preliminary NBCOT certification, three letters of advice (one from an occupational therapist), and so forth. This system is hybrid requiring on-campus attendance on the Fort Lauderdale campus for intensive coursework lasting 2-Three days.

Program Size: 39 Credit score HoursEstimated Tuition Value Per Credit score Hour: $663Curriculum Snapshot: Principle Improvement for Fashions of Apply, Proof-Based mostly Apply and Important Considering in OT, Management Improvement in A number of Contexts, Occupation-Centered Follow, Group Program Improvement, Contextual Features of Occupational Efficiency, Capstone Tasks, and so forth.Institutional Accreditation: Southern Affiliation of Schools and FacultiesProgram Web site: Nova Southeastern College-Florida

12. Japanese Kentucky College

Japanese Kentucky College (EKU) supplies a 100% on-line, Grasp-to-OTD diploma. This system accepts as much as 12 switch credit and may be accomplished in 2 years. Rated within the prime 25 of Greatest Occupational Remedy Faculties by U.S. Information and World Report, this program is particularly designed for the working licensed Occupational Therapist. Admission to this program requires NBCOT certification, a level from an accredited OT program, completion of a graduate analysis strategies course, and a GRE rating of 147 or greater.

13. Gannon College

Gannon College gives an internet Occupational Remedy Doctorate (OTD) which can be accomplished in 2 years of half time research. Admission requires college students maintain a Grasp’s or Bachelor’s diploma from an accredited OT program, present Occupational Remedy licensure from scholar’s state of residence, membership in ACOTE and state OT affiliation, and so on. Gannon College is unable to simply accept college students from all states and it’s suggested you examine their State Authorization info to see in case your state is eligible. Gannon College’s graduate Occupational Remedy program has been acknowledged by U.S. Information and World Report in its Graduate Faculties itemizing.

14. Misericordia College

Misericordia College’s Occupational Remedy Division presents a hybrid post-professional OTD program which concentrates on medical follow points and in addition supplies a specialization selection of both Grownup/Geriatric or Pediatrics. Misericordia College is situated in Dallas, Pennsylvania and college students shall be required to attend on-campus courses one weekend day originally and finish of every semester. Admission necessities for this packages require a minimal of a Grasp of Occupational Remedy (or a BS in Occupational Remedy and a MS in one other area), at the least one yr licensed Occupational Remedy employment, NBCOT certification, verification of present OT licensure, in addition to different college admission documentation. U.S. Information and World Report cites Misericordia College in its Greatest Occupational Remedy Packages rankings.

15. Mount Mary College

Mount Mary College (MMU) situated in Wisconsin has an internet, part-time publish skilled OTD diploma that’s designed for presently working OTs. Ranked within the prime 100 of U.S. Information and World Report’s Greatest Occupational Remedy Faculties, MMU’s program could also be accomplished in 21 months and does require a residency which a school advisor will assist facilitate. Candidates should maintain a present license as an Occupational Therapist, have a minimal of 1 yr OT expertise, maintain a Grasp’s Diploma in Occupational Remedy (or accomplished a bachelor’s to grasp’s bridge program), and so forth. Because of the State Authorization Reciprocity Settlement (SARA) not all states settle for this OTD program. It’s suggested that you simply examine with the admissions workplace previous to software to confirm your house state qualifies.

16. Boston College

This can be a post-professional Doctorate in Occupational Remedy (DOT) program provided on-line by means of Boston College School of Well being and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent School. Candidates should maintain a bachelor or masters diploma in Occupational Remedy, GRE (graduates of a ACOTE Occupational Remedy program or who submit documentation of a Nationwide Authorities Recognition OT program with a Three.zero GPA are exempt from the GRE), state licensure and Nationwide Board for Certification in Occupational Remedy (NBCOT) documentation, and supply different faculty admission necessities. U.S. Information and World Report charges the Occupational Remedy Program at #1 in its Greatest Occupational Remedy Faculties rankings.

17. Barry College

Barry College presents a part-time on-line post-professional OTD diploma that may be accomplished in two-years or much less (relying on the right track enrollment). Candidates are required to be a licensed Occupational Therapist holding a minimal of a masters diploma from an accredited faculty. Moreover, college students should submit GRE scores and have at the very least six months medical expertise publish certification. Barry College’s Occupational Remedy is rated by U.S. Information and World Report’s Greatest Occupational Remedy Faculties.

18. Mary Baldwin College

This can be a post-professional OTD diploma which may be accomplished in 18 months. The PPOTD at Mary Baldwin College is obtainable by way of its Murphy Deming School of Well being and Sciences and requires candidates to carry a grasp’s diploma from an accredited program, a present OT license, and official transcripts from earlier schools or universities, and so on. Purposes for the OTD program are accepted within the Fall and Spring.

19. Bay Path College

Bay Path College (BPU) presents an internet post-professional OTD diploma with these tracks: Administration, Superior Basic Follow, Autism Spectrum Issues, Schooling, or Psychological Well being. BPU accepts college students for its Bachelor’s to Publish Skilled OTD (requires 53 credit score hours) and Grasp’s to Submit Skilled OTD. Candidates with a BS diploma have to be in OT and from an accredited program and MS college students should maintain a BS and Grasp’s in Occupational Remedy (MOT). All candidates should maintain a present OT license and NBCOT certification. BS therapists should have 10-year OT work expertise and MOTs should have one-year skilled expertise. Bay Path College has been acknowledged by U.S. Information and World Report in its Greatest Occupational Remedy Faculties.

20. Quinnipiac College

Quinnipiac College (QU) gives a web-based Occupational Remedy Doctorate (OTD) program via its Faculty of Well being Sciences. This on-line OTD is designed for the working registered OT who needs to advance their diploma. Admission requires proof of NBCOT, verification of employment with a minimal of three years fulltime employment as an OT, proof of licensure if required by scholar’s house state, lively American Occupational Remedy Affiliation membership, background verify, and different college necessities. The varsity additionally provides a BS to OTD Bridge Program which is defined on the varsity’s web site. U.S. Information and World Report charges the OT program at QU within the prime 25 of its Greatest Occupational Remedy Packages rating.

21. St. Catherine College

St. Catherine College (SCU) provides a web-based post-professional Physician of Occupational Remedy diploma that may be accomplished in 28 months. Admission to this program requires a Grasp’s diploma in any subject from an accredited establishment, official transcripts, present licensure as an Occupational Therapist, NBCOT certification, a Three.zero graduate GPA, in addition to different SCU common necessities. The graduate Occupational Remedy program at SCU is within the prime 25 Graduate Faculty rankings of U.S. Information and World Report.

22. Brenau College

Brenau College (BU) provides an OTD program which is hybrid in design. Nearly all of coursework is accomplished on-line however college students are required to attend one two or three day weekend Atlanta campus expertise. The diploma could also be accomplished in two years by taking two programs per semester. Brenau has two OTD entry choices for college kids with a Grasp’s Diploma in Occupational Remedy or Bachelor of Science in Occupational Remedy (requiring 30 graduate credit score hours). Admission wants embrace college students be presently training and licensed Occupational Therapist, a minimal of three.zero GPA demonstrated on official transcripts from accredited establishments. U.S. Information and World Report names the Occupational Remedy program at Brenau College in its prime 25 of Greatest Occupational Remedy Faculties.

23. The College of Utah

The College of Utah School of Well being has a web-based OTD for college kids with both a Bachelor’s or Grasp’s diploma in Occupational Remedy. Software necessities embrace the preliminary NBCOT certification, present Occupational Remedy license, resume, letters of advice, and different college admission necessities. The varsity web site signifies that the autumn semester 2020 would be the final time period for admission to this program. The College of Utah School of Well being’s Occupational Remedy program ranks in U.S. Information and World Report’s Greatest Occupational Remedy Faculties.

24. Salus College

Salus College has an internet OTD diploma which presents three specialty tracks in Low Imaginative and prescient Rehabilitation, Remedial Imaginative and prescient Rehabilitation: Pediatrics and Acquired Mind Damage, and Well being and Wellness. This program, provided by means of Salus’ School of Schooling and Rehabilitation, requires candidates to carry a Grasp’s diploma from an accredited college, present proof of OT licensure and NBCOT certification, membership within the American of Occupational Remedy Affiliation, and extra admissions info.

25. College of Wisconsin-Madison

The College of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-M) has a web-based post-professional OTD program which can be accomplished in Three years of part-time research. Candidates should maintain a present state OT license, NBCOT certification, a minimal of 30 graduate credit score hours previous the Bachelor’s diploma (that is sometimes by means of a Grasp’s of Occupational Remedy (MOT) progrm), and so on. College students within the remaining yr of a MOT program might apply however admission is decided by the scholar finishing fieldwork, NBCOT certification and acquiring a state OT license. U.S. Information and World Report charges UW-M in its prime 30 of Greatest Occupational Remedy Faculties rating.